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Tag: Unity

  • Bayelsa, non-indigenes meet for peace, unity

    The Supreme Council of Non-Indigenes (SCNI), at the weekend, held a crucial meeting with the Government of Bayelsa State, to seek ways of deepening existing peace and unity in the state.

    The council, which comprises all non-indigenes living in the state, met with the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, at the Information House, Yenagoa.

    Iworiso-Markson, told the non-indigenes that the country must embrace peaceful co-existence and promote unity to achieve national integration and development.

    The President-General, SCNI, Alh. Ade Bakare, commended the commissioner for his professionalism in managing the government’s image since assumption of duty.

    Highlight of the occasion was the conferment of Iworiso-Markson with the patron-ship of the Supreme Council of Non-Indigenes with a promise to perform the formal investiture at a later date.

     

  • Soccer for peace, unity

    All roads led to the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Sports Complex for the All Niger State Students’ Football Tournament. The event was organised by the National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS) to foster unity among ethnic groups. MAHMUD ABDULSALAM and HAMZA ABAGA (200-Level Mass Communication) report.

    For three weeks, academic activities were suspended at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) in Lapai, Niger State. Lecture rooms and offices were all deserted, as members of the staff and students relocated to the school’s Sports Complex to participate in the maiden Inter-Local Government Soccer contest organised by the IBBUL chapter of the National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS).

    There were 20 teams of students representing their local government areas. Each contested with the other in the group and knock-out stages, leaving four teams from Paiko, Bida, Lapai and Kontagora local governments to slug it out at the semi-final stage.

    To get to the final, Paiko team worked hard to edge Bida team out of the tournament with a lone goal, while Lapai team saw off Kontagora with a 4-2 win in a thrilling penalty shoot-out.

    At the final match, enthusiastic students and members of the staff from the competing local councils thronged the Sport Complex to cheer their teams.

    The final match was graced by the Emir of Lapai, Alhaji Umar Bago Tafida (II), who was joined by the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Muhammad Nasir Maiturare, to perform the ceremonial kick-off.

    It was a fierce contest among players of the opposing teams, as the game was goalless 35 minutes after the match began. Each team deployed skills in defending its side against the other, leaving the spectators enthralled.

    Paiko team striker, who spotted sky blue jersey with white stripes, took a long-range kick from outside the goal area, but the Lapai team goalkeeper punched away the ball. This excited the crowd.

    Moments later, the rapturous crowd went wild when the Lapai team striker dribbled his way into the Paiko team’s goal area, deceived the goalkeeper with leg-over and scored a goal. However, the goal was disallowed after the striker was adjudged to be at an off-side position by an assistant referee.

    Amid enthusiastic chanting from the spectators, the Lapai team’s attackers worked out a pass from the midfield, which broke the defence of the opposing team. An error by the Paiko team’s defender, who failed to clear a back pass, gave the Lapai team’s striker an opportunity to hijack the ball and netted a goal moments before the first-half ended.

    During the second-half, the Paiko team equalised after the referee awarded a penalty kick in its favour.

    At 87 minutes, the Lapai team striker put the game beyond redemption of their opponent, when he calmly placed the ball into the net. The match ended 2-1 in favour of the Lapai team.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, Lapai team coach Abdulhafiz Ndanusa said his side deserved to lift the trophy, having put up a “good performance” at the beginning of the tournament. He praised the team members, saying they showed the best attacking strategies.

    He said: “The formation we used all through the game made our opponents to be confused at every encounter. This ensured our victory at each stage of the competition. At the final, both teams showed great skills and amazing attacking prowess. It was glaring that my boys were no match for their opponents. This is the reason why they emerged triumphant. I must commend our opponents for their fighting spirit.”

    In his address before the match, Prof Maiturare hailed the NANISS officials for initiating the tournament to promote unity and sportsmanship among students, noting that the competition would become a source of inspiration for talented youngsters aspiring to become professional footballers.

    He said: “Sport events such as this are beneficial in many ways. It will give students the opportunity to refresh and reclaim their confidence to embrace the challenges they may face in the course of their studies. It is not out of place to say future football stars have been discovered. I urge other students’ associations to emulate the Niger State students’ union in this respect.”

    The VC pledged the management’s commitment to promoting sports, assuring the students that the school would give attention to football.

    Special Guest of Honour Comrade Ahmed Yusuf, who likened the competition to Spanish El-Classico, described the final match as “memorable, highly-explosive and a classic encounter”.

    Yusuf, who is also the chairman of the Niger State Football Association, praised both teams for putting up a good performance and adhering to the rules of the game. He urged the school management to invest in sports, saying it would help to develop students’ mental and physical capacity. If sustained, Yusuf said, the tournament could be a ground for breeding professional footballers.

    Bello Egigogo of Lapai team was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, while Muhammed Bida of the Bida team emerged the Highest Goal Scorer, having scored eight goals.

    Muhammed said his feat boosted his morale to further pursue his goal of becoming a professional footballer. He dedicated his achievement to his team mates.

    The Emir expressed joy that youths in the state were rising above their religious and ethnic differences to promote unity, love and peace through the football competition.

    He said: “Let me tell you that the Lapai emirate council is proud to be associated with the school and students on several programmes being held to promote peace. The supports the emirate will be giving to noble activities, such as the football tournament, will be immeasurable. I will personally engage the youths on the need to embrace programmes that will improve their means of livelihood. This would take them away from crimes.”

    Alhaji Bago urged students to hone and showcase their soccer talents by partaking in sports contests beyone their campus. He, however, admonished them not to lose focus on their studies, describing education as their primary aim in the school.

    The highpoint was the presentation of the trophy to the first prize winner – Lapai team – which also received N100, 000 cash. The second prize winner – Paiko team – got N50,000 cash.

    Yusuf pledged N100,000 to NANISS and N5, 000 each to the Best Goalkeeper, MVP and Highest Goal Scorer to encourage the students.

    NANISS president Hamza Tatiko expressed delight that the competition fulfilled its objective, which, he said, was to promote unity and cooperation among members of the association. He hailed the school and the emir for supporting the event.

    He said: “Beyond the tangible monetary incentives and awards given to the outstanding players, this tournament has strengthened the bond of friendship, love and brotherhood among students of Niger State who came from diverse ethnic groups and religious background.”

    A student, Umar Ibrahim, said the competition eased off the academic tension that enveloped the campus.

    “Many students would resume for lectures with refreshed spirit,” he said.

  • Aspirant calls for unity in Ekiti APC

    Ekiti State All Progressives Congress(APC) governorship aspirant Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele has called for unity in the chapter as it prepares for the primary.

    He said crises may be an obstacle to victory at the poll.

    Bamidele said the desire of the APC family is to reclaim power from the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Ekiti State, warning agents of division to desist from their activities.

    The aspirant lamented that some aspirants’ loyalists and members of the party have been deploying the social media and the existing APC platforms to discredit one another.

    The former federal lawmaker said  members would still have to come together after the primary to work for the victory of the party, adding that no individual can win the election independently of other chieftains.

    Bamidele, who spoke at his Iyin-Ekiti country home at the weekend,  exuded confidence that the party  will, win if members allow civility to reign in their ranks.

    He said: “In 2015, the APC as an underdog won the presidential poll. Though, President Muhammadu Buhari’s electrifying popularity and irresistible personality played a major role in the historical victory, but the unity among members all over the 36 states of the federation also helped in no small measure.

    “This is the same situation the APC is in Ekiti. We are in opposition and we need cohesiveness to be able to wrest power from the PDP.

    “Making incendiary and derisive comments about ourselves when we are supposed to see the PDP as a common political foe we must defeat will take us nowhere in this election.

    “I have heard some members making insinuations that I had conceded to deputy governorship ticket with Engr Segun Oni. Some said I had a secret pact with Dr. Kayode Fayemi. The latest news has been that I have decided to renounce my ambition to boost Senator Babafemi Ojudu’s aspiration.

    Bamidele added: “I have heard some aspirants branding others as unmarketable, I have heard some describing some notable members and even a national officer as an outsider in APC.

    “All these sinister and deleterious political moves might impede our desire to take over Ekiti, except we begin to see ourselves as one and the time to do that is now”, Bamidele advised.

    Bamidele urged the deputy chairman of the party, Chief Kemi Olaleye, to check the excesses of members who have turned themselves into online monsters, thereby destroying the unity of the party.

    He said the party can curb their activities by invoking sanctions.

    Bamidele stressed: “I support that those who maintain hard stand after being cautioned by the party’s top hierarchy should be sanctioned.

    “APC is a party guided by constitution and it shouldn’t trivialize issue that could disunite members, particularly at a time we are approaching a critical election like this.

    “Ekiti and Osun governorship elections are strategic to our party. They will determine so many things in our party and it will help in sending a  signal that APC is still very strong, acceptable and remains a movement in the country’s political hemisphere.”

  • Cleric seeks unity among gospel ministers

    Apostle Sodiq Moses of the Christ Holy Mountain has called for unity among all Christian leaders for national recovery.

    He spoke at the church premises in Ikotun, Lagos State.

    According to him, until Nigeria comes together in the spirit of unity and love, corruption, pain, envy and suffering would continue.

    “The devil that is disturbing us as a nation is organised. We Christians have to come together for the spirit of unity to return to the church and then there will be national recovery.

    “Christian leaders have to come together to chase the devil out of Nigeria and out of the world. God has sent me here to safe souls.

    “The nation is in bondage because we are not together and it is until we come together that we will be able to achieve what God has ordained us to achieve.”

    He added: “God is calling on all the men of God to come together in the spirit of unity and love.

    “If there is no love, Nigeria cannot have breakthrough. It is heart breaking to see men of God fighting on the pages of the newspaper or other media platforms.

    “This is happening because the devil has taken away the spirit of unity from us.”

    He said a unity crusade will hold in last Friday of July in Lagos to reunite church leaders.

  • 2019: PDP cannot win in southwest without unity – ex-minister

    2019: PDP cannot win in southwest without unity – ex-minister

    A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, has called on members to work together for the progress of the party in the southwest. Ogunlewe, a former minister of works, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. He was reacting to Thursday’s holding of two parallel events by the Moshood Salvador-led executive and another group.

    NAN reports that while Salvador was holding the party general assembly to mobilise members in Ikeja, a group of aggrieved members, led by former state party deputy chairman, Prince Ola Apena, was holding another rally in Ikorodu. Ogunlewe, in his reaction, told NAN that the party could not realise its objective of capturing Lagos and other states in 2019 if members were working at cross purposes.

    He, however, said disagreements are normal in a democracy, pointing out that ability to manage them is what matters. “The PDP members in the state need to work in unity with one another to achieve our objectives in the state. Election is around the corner. This is a time for unity and not for fight or discord. Personally, I see the same people in Ikeja and Ikorodu rallies as the same PDP. Yes, there are disagreements, which is normal in a democracy, we will sort ourselves out,” he said.

    Ogunlewe said the call for Salvador to leave office was unnecessary as only the National Working Committee of the party could remove him. When asked if he had any political ambition in 2019, he responded in the negative. “May be you don’t know I am 75 years old, and what will a 75 year old be looking for in office again? Sorry, I am not vying for anything,” he said.

     

  • Commissioner to staff: work in unity

    Commissioner to staff: work in unity

    The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Agboola Dabiri has urged the management staff of the ministry to work in unity to achieve its desired goals in the overall interest of the state government.

    Speaking during a retreat organised by the ministry at Pearlworth Hotel, Ikeja, Dabiri said desired goals will remain dreams in mind of management staff of any organisation if harmony does not exist amongst them.

    Dabiri said: ‘’When we are alone, we can only do little, but when we are together, we can achieve a lot and even beyond our expected goals and desires.”

    The Commissioner urged them to remain dedicated, committed and diligent at their respective duties and responsibilities, as the ministry will not relent in setting and achieving great goals.

    The facilitator at the retreat, Adeyinka Adefope advised participants to engage in daily assessment of their activities and results to enable them raise the level of their performance at work.

    Adefope appealed to the management staff to be willing to learn new ways of doing things, unlearn obsolete ways and relearn good strategies.

    According to him, an illiterate is not one who lacks ability to read and write, rather one who is not willing to learn.

  • Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company warns against electricity hazard

    Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company warns against electricity hazard

    The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company ( IBEDC ) on Monday, advised the public to be wary of electricity hazards and shun habits that poses danger to their lives and property while using electrical appliances.

    The Regional Head of Communication IBEDC Ilorin Zone, Mr Asaju Kolawole, gave the warnings during a road show by the company.

    The road show included distribution of flyers to members of the public while the staffs went round the metropolis singing, dancing and intermittently giving short enlightenment talks.

    Risk prone areas such as Sawmill, Taiwo Road, Surulere, Unity, Post Office and Challenge, people were warned against building houses under power lines.

    READ ALSO: CHI Rights Issue hits 100.09% success

    IBEDC also cautioned residents against illegal connection, tampering with or vandalizing installations of the distribution company, among other vices.

    Kolawole stressed that the campaign was to educate the general public on the dangers of toying and tampering with electrical installations.

    He warned those who build, sell, load vehicles and plant trees under or close to power lines to desist to avoid electrocution.

    The spokesman also frowned at the vandalism of public facilities, particularly electricity installations, urging communities to be proactive in reporting any suspicious movement around electrical installations in their domain to security agencies in the state.

    He regretted that misuse of electricity had led to the death of many people and enjoined the public to be careful in order to avert such ugly incidents.

    Kolawole reiterated the company’s commitment to offer efficient services to its customers and appealed that complaints on illegal electricity connections, low power supply and electricity surge, electrocution and fire out break be reported promptly for immediate intervention.

    He also appealed to customers to settle their electricity bills promptly to enable the company serve them better.

    NAN

  • Search for unity begins in Jonathan’s home

    Search for unity begins in Jonathan’s home

    All is not well with Ogbia, the Local Government Area of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The main problem with the council is disunity. The council has been speaking in discordant tunes, especially on political matters. In fact, the disunity was more pronounced during the last governorship election in the state.

    But analysts traced the recent problems in Ogbia to the period the council occupied the Presidency. Instead of uniting them, the Presidency tore them apart. Ogbia sons and daughters, who benefitted from proximity to then President Jonathan and the corridors of power, failed to help the council. They selfishly amassed wealth to the detriment of others, who had no access to the Aso Rock Villa.

    Majority of Ogbia people were disconnected from Jonathan’s favourites, who were supposed to use their vantage positions to provide expected leadership. Close associates of Jonathan harvested, stored and ate all the carrots while the unfortunate majority either groped in hunger or struggled and battled for crumbs that fell from overflowing baskets.

    The worst that happened to Ogbia was the squandering of their common patrimony. Being a privileged council, Ogbia attracted contracts from interventionist agencies, federal parastatals and ministries. Various projects amounting to over N200bn were reportedly awarded to Jonathan’s men for the development of their council. But no job was done.

    The money allegedly developed wings and flew into the private accounts of the contractors. Even the former President did not help matters. Jonathan could not demonstrate the required will to coordinate the development of his local government area.

    Little wonder, Ogbia remains the most underdeveloped local government area in the the state despite producing people who spent over eight years at the Presidency. Ogbia lacks all the basic amenities. It has no road, no water, no electricity and colonial bridges still dot the council. In fact, there is no road to get to Otuoke, the community of Jonathan.

    But all seems to be changing following the efforts of an Ogbia rising star, who has been working assiduously and selflessly to return the council to the path of unity.

    Commissioner for Information and Orientation Daniel Iworiso-Markson has made the oneness of Ogbia a crucial part of his agenda. The commissioner, who hails from Opume area of the council has been initiating and bankrolling all activities and programmes that could bring his people together.

    Iworiso-Markson has enabled the majority of his Ogbia people to realise the identities of their real enemies. Most of them now know that contrary to the earlier narratives, the Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson, is not against their progress.

    They now understand that their main detractors are their brothers and sisters, who had presidential opportunities to develop their council and empower them but chose to develop only their families, bank accounts and stomachs.

    Indeed, Iworiso-Markson’s emerging leadership in the council is being supported by all the appointees of the governor from the council. The commissioners for Chieftaincy and Community Development, Chief Saviour Ibegi; Special Projects, Chief Fred Obua; Power, Chief Jim Ogbolo; Caretaker Chairperson, Ogbia, Naomi Igoli and the Director-General of Bayelsa Investment Promotion Agency (BIPA), Ms Patience Abah, are all behind him.

    Iworiso-Markson is also receiving the support of the Restoration Ogbia Caucus Leader, Chief Okiriyan, who has continued to pour encomiums on him. In fact, the Information Commissioner has also received the royal blessings of his monarch, the King of Ogbia, HRM King Dumaro Owaba.

    Even the youths from the council through the efforts of the recently appointed Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Matters, Mr. Osaanya B. Osaanya, are rallying round Iworiso-Markson to bring the council together.

    There is no gainsaying that the commissioner has won the hearts of the youths, women and the elderly ones in the council through his decision to introduce a football tournament in the council. The mascot for the maiden edition of the football competition tagged, “Governor Dickson Unity Cup, the Ogbia Challenge”, was recently unveiled in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    The competition, the brainchild of Iworiso-Markson, was initiated to douse tension; discover budding football talents; deepen brotherliness and ensure political cohesion in the beleaguered local council ahead of the forthcoming general election.

    Already, the competition is achieving its objectives. Youths from various communities in Ogbia have organised themselves into 32 football teams. Those who were enemies because of their political leanings embraced one another. The ongoing tournament is conquering territories and penetrating isolated areas. It has kept the youths busy and taken their attention away from social vices, drug abuse and cultism.

    At the inauguration of the mascot, Iworiso-Markson said the game of football was selected because of its unifying factor. He said football has won the hearts of many people as most of them belong to different football clubs.

    He dwelled on the importance of unity for peace, development and progress. He insisted that nothing could be achieved in an atmosphere of rancour adding that unity remained a catalyst for communal growth and development. The former Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to governor Dickson insisted that every Ogbia person must avoid divisive tendency and work together in the spirit of oneness.

    The commissioner also called on the youths to shun cultism, hard drugs and other social vices. He asked them to channel their energy to productive ventures. He said the Ogbia challenge was developed to teach the youths the importance of engaging in productive and healthy ventures. He urged persons with soccer talents to develop them and earn a living from them.

    Iworiso-Markson  said the competition would not end at the hosting level. He had made all arrangements to ensure the identification and promotion of budding talents among the competing youths. Persons picked would have the opportunity to advance their careers in soccer within and outside the country.

    He said: “I want to make it clear that it will not just end in hosting the competition, we will support the most valuable player to play in reputable clubs within and outside the country.

    “So this is an opportunity for our youths to make themselves available. It is a means to stardom, to fame and if you like prosperity. So I urge all our youths who still engage in social vices like cultism to put an end to that. This is the time for us to be more united and collectively ýdefine our future as a people”.

    The commissioner said in the course of the tournament, some ex-internationals would visit the state to watch some of the games and encourage the youths. “The final of the competition will be truly grand with mouth-watering prizes alongside the trophies for the three best teams”, he said.

    But he gave the credit to his boss, Governor Seriake Dickson. He said the governor supported and inspired the initiative following his love for youths. He said the governor has always demonstrated his desire for youths to realise their full potential. He, however, appealed to the youths to reciprocate the gesture by shunning all forms of social vices, cultism and drug abuse.

    While unveiling the mascot, the Obanoban of Ogbia, His Royal Majesty Charles Owaba, harped on the unity of his kingdom.  He urged the Ogbia people to embrace one another. He said Ogbia should be a one big family to attract development. The monarch praised all the efforts of Iworiso-Markson. He said the commissioner has continued to pursue unity and peace in the kingdom.

    He said: “Those who seek the good of the land will prosper and I urge Ogbia elites to emulate the Information commissioner’s gesture in order to secure a good future for the Ogbia youth.”

    Commissioner for Special Projects Fred Obua said the competition would bring unity to Ogbia, expressing optimism that the tournament would produce the “Ogbia Ronaldo” and “Ogbia Messi”. He encouraged all the youths in the council to participate actively in the programme and commended Iworiso-Markson for the initiative.

    In his remarks, the Restoration Ogbia Caucus Leader, Chief Okiriyan described Daniel Iworiso-Markson as a genuine Ogbia man who loves the Ogbia people. Okiriyan said the innovative performance of Iworiso-Markson had marked him out as a young man with a bright future with vision for unity.

    The Caretaker Chairperson of Ogbia, Naomi Igoli, described Iworiso-Markson as a man with broad heart and love for people. “I am happy for you having this vision”, she said. She promised to work with the commissioner to realise his vision of unity.

    Ogbia leaders harped on the need for unity among the Ogbia people and thanked Iworiso-Markson for the initiative.

     

  • Buhari seeks unity of APC ahead 2019 polls

    Buhari seeks unity of APC ahead 2019 polls

    To ensure that the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains dominant in the 2019 general election, President Muhammadu Buhari, last night, urged party members to bury the hatchet and work together.

    According to him, the unity of purpose and commitment of party members gave the party victory is 2015.

    He spoke at the opening of the APC National Caucus meeting at the new Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The President said: “I must heartily thank the party officials and members for the successes we have achieved in the 2015 elections in securing majority of the State Governors, majority in the National Assembly and majorities in the State Assemblies.

    “We must remember that this resounding success would not have been achieved without the unity of purpose we exhibited in challenging and defeating an incumbent government.

    “Those outstanding successes would not have been possible without your hard work, dedication, and above all, sacrifice. I wish to individually and collectively thank you all sincerely for believing in me and remaining steadfast party members despite distractions and antics of the opposition. This unity and success are needed now more than ever, because elections are now looming

    “I must state at the outset that to succeed we must in all our actions and decisions follow strictly the constitution of our party. It is easy to forget that we succeeded a government with a record of unprecedented theft and systematic mismanagement.

    “Nigeria was fast heading for a state of collapse. It is easy to forget the fuel subsidy fraud, arms fund diversion, depleted excess de Account savings, depleted foreign reserves, massive unpaid debts to contractors and suppliers amidst failure to invest or even maintain our infrastructure namely railways, roads, electricity, in spite of having earned over $500 billion from Oil & Gas alone, during the 16 years of PDP rule. Lest we forget, we must always remind ourselves of the dire situation in which we came to office.

    “Therefore, we must not be shy in projecting our tremendous achievements from 2015 to date. The territorial integrity of Nigeria is no longer under threat. A number of security challenges still exist, but they exist in even the most well policed and well-secured countries. I am confident that the measures we are taking will tackle the acts of rural banditry, herdsmen/farmers conflicts, communal clashes, kidnappings and other crimes.

    “I now turn to the party differences in various states. To this end, I have appointed a committee, headed by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a leader of the Party, to reconcile differences in various states. We hope the committee will be given maximum support and cooperation to enable it to satisfactorily carry out its work and get the party united in purpose and in shape for the battles ahead.

    “I am very much aware of opinions and criticisms about the pace of government. In particular, the delay in appointments to boards of parastatals. Many boards have been inaugurated so far.

    “Now that INEC has come out with the timetable for elections in 2019, the Party should prepare itself for congresses at Wards, Local Governments, States and Centre.

    “We should strictly follow the constitution of the Party in undertaking these party elections. We should ensure internal democracy and avoid short cuts and illegal maneuvers which have characterized the opposition party with the consequences that they are now divided.

    “The APC has a history of conducting free and fair primaries whenever consensus about any candidacy is not reached. Regardless of the outcomes of the primary processes, it is imperative that we all work together to ensure the victory of our party.” He said

    The President paid tribute to members and commended the APC leadership for its interest in getting the manifesto implemented in states and at the centre.

    National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun said he fully supported the Asiwaju Peace Committee and “I encourage us to support the committee. The success of this committee will provide great impetus to the realisation of victory for the party in the elections.”

    According to him, members should be truly proud of the achievements of our governments at all levels.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • ‘Seven million people in S/Sudan at risk of severe food insecurity’

    ‘Seven million people in S/Sudan at risk of severe food insecurity’

    Three UN agencies on Monday warned that seven million people in South Sudan, almost two-thirds of the population, could become severely food insecure in the coming months without sustained humanitarian assistance and access.

    The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP) in a statement said, if this happens, this will be the highest ever number of food insecure people in South Sudan.

    The period of greatest risk will be the lean season, between May and July.

    Particularly at risk are 155,000 people, including 29,000 children, who could suffer from the most extreme levels of hunger.

    In January, 5.3 million people, or nearly half of the population, were already struggling to find enough food each day and were in “crisis” or “emergency” levels of food insecurity (IPC Phases three and four), according to an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report released today.

    This represents a 40 per cent increase in the number of severely food insecure people compared to January 2017.

    The report comes one year after famine was declared in parts of South Sudan in February 2017.

    Improved access and a massive humanitarian response succeeded in containing and averting famine later last year.

    In spite of this, the agencies said, the  food insecurity outlook has never been so dire as it is now.

    The FAO, UNICEF and WFP warned that progress made to prevent people from dying of hunger could be undone, and more people than ever could be pushed into severe hunger and famine-like conditions during May to July unless assistance and access are maintained.

    “The situation is extremely fragile, and we are close to seeing another famine. The projections are stark.

    “If we ignore them, we’ll be faced with a growing tragedy.

    “If farmers receive support to resume their livelihoods, we will see a rapid improvement in the country’s food security situation due to increased local production,” said Serge Tissot, FAO Representative in South Sudan.

    A growing tragedy that must not be ignored

    Overall hunger levels have risen due to protracted conflict that led to reduced food production and constantly disrupted livelihoods.

    This was further exacerbated by economic collapse, which impacted markets and trade, making them unable to compensate for the decrease in local food production.

    Prolonged dry spells, flooding and continued pest infestation, such as Fall Armyworm, have also had a damaging impact.

    “The situation is deteriorating with each year of conflict as more people lose the little they had.

    “We are alarmed as the lean season when the harvest runs out is expected to start this year much earlier than usual,” said Adnan Khan, WFP Representative and Country Director.

    “Unless we can pre-position assistance rather than mount a more costly response during the rains, more families will struggle to survive.”

    READ ALSO: Let’s focus on agriculture

    In areas like Unity, Jonglei, Upper Nile, and Central Equatorial, riddled by reoccurring outbreaks of violent conflict and displacement, the proportion of people suffering from extreme food insecurity ranges from 52 to 62 percent – more than half the states’ combined population.

    The number is expected to keep increasing unless people find the means to receive, produce or buy their own food.

    Conflict and worsening hunger have led to already soaring rates of malnutrition.

    Without assistance, as of May, more than 1.3 million children under five will be at risk of acute malnutrition.

    Malnutrition rates are set to rise once the rainy season starts in April.

    Once this happens, many communities will become isolated and unable to reach medical services.

    The rains will make the country’s dirt roads unusable, and it will become more and more difficult to deliver supplies to medical centres.

    “We are preparing for rates of severe malnutrition among children never before seen in this country,” said Mahimbo Mdoe, UNICEF’s Representative in South Sudan.

    “Without an urgent response and access to those most in need, many children will die. We cannot allow that to happen.”

    Of particular concern are the areas around Leer, Mayendit, Longochuk and Renk where children under five face extremely critical levels of malnutrition

    In 2017, FAO, WFP, UNICEF and their partners rolled out their largest ever aid campaign, saving lives and containing famine. In 2017, agency partners conducted more than 135 rapid humanitarian missions to the most hard-to-reach areas, providing life-saving assistance to over 1.8 million people.

    FAO provided five million people, many in difficult-to-reach or conflict-affected areas, with seeds and tools for planting, and fishing kits in 2017.

    FAO has also vaccinated more than 6.1 million livestock to keep animals alive and healthy. This has been vital as most of the population rely on livestock for their survival.

    UNICEF and partners admitted some 208,000 children with severe acute malnutrition in 2017 and plan to reach 215,000 this year.

    Together with WFP, UNICEF took part in 51 rapid response missions in 2017 to reach communities cut off from regular aid assistance.

    The Rapid Response Mechanism will remain a key means of accessing conflict-affected communities in the coming months.

    At the peak of its response this year, WFP aims to reach 4.4 million people with life-saving food and nutrition assistance.

    WFP is pre-positioning food in areas likely to be cut off during the rainy season, so people will not go hungry.

    WFP plans to pre-position 140,000 metric tonnes of food and nutrition supplies – 20 percent more than in 2017 – in more than 50 locations across the country.

    NAN